I awoke the next morning, tangled in the sheets and alone. The bed was still warm on his side, the scent of him lingering in the air—coffee, dark chocolate and the most energizing sunlight. My body ached in the most delicious way, a reminder of the night before. A slow heat coiled in my stomach as memories surfaced, and I bit my lip.
We had played for hours, and yet, I still wanted more.
And then, like a slap to the face, the realization hit me.
My breath caught. My chest tightened. A sharp panic settled in my bones as I sat up straight, struggling to breathe.
Before I could make sense of it, Kaï burst into the tent, his sharp eyes scanning me with worry.
"What is it, my love? Are you hurt?"
His voice was urgent, laced with protectiveness.
"Erm—no, no. I'm not."
His shoulders relaxed slightly, but his gaze remained locked onto mine. "Then what is it?"
I swallowed, gripping the sheets, my fingers tightening around the fabric. "I… it's just that..."
He waited, silent and patient. Then, slowly, he sat on the bed beside me, giving me space to gather my thoughts.
I exhaled shakily. "I have nightmares. Every night. Since… something happened." My throat closed up, but I forced myself to continue. "I'm not ready to talk about it yet, but it's been a long time since I've slept through the night. Ten years, if I recall."
Kaï's expression darkened—not with anger, but with something deeper. He reached out, tracing his knuckles over my cheek before cupping my face in his calloused palm. When he spoke, his voice was low, unwavering.
"I saw many scars on you last night, but the ones of the mind cut deeper. You don't have to tell me anything you're not ready to share. But hear me, loud and clear—I won't let anyone hurt you. You are my mate, and I am a powerful Alpha—a terrifying one, at that." His thumb brushed over my cheekbone. "You are the most precious person in my life."
I searched his face, looking for any trace of a lie. There was none.
And suddenly, I understood.
Why I hadn't had a nightmare.
Why, for the first time in a decade, I had slept through the night.
Kaï made me feel safe. Not by doing anything in particular—just by being him.
A slow exhale left me, and to my surprise, a single tear slipped down my cheek. A tear of relief.
After ten years of waking up gasping for breath, drowning in memories of that hellish basement, I had found peace—if only for one night.
Of course, my life was far from normal. I was the first werewolf to have a mate since I was born, a Luna without a pack, and burdened with the task of choosing those worthy of joining it. I couldn't accept just anyone—the Moon Goddess had been clear about that. My choices had to be wise. And I refused to let a monster like Cairn slip through the cracks under my rule.
So many thoughts swirled in my head that I barely registered Kaï's amused voice.
"So many thoughts running through that pretty head. Are you hungry, my love?"
As if on cue, my stomach growled. Loudly. Too loudly.
Kaï chuckled, standing. "I'll get us something to eat." He disappeared outside.
The moment he was gone, Mary stormed into the tent like a whirlwind, bouncing like a child in front of an ice cream truck.
"ALEEEEEEEE! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" she shrieked, practically vibrating as she plopped onto the bed beside me.
I yelped, clutching the sheets to my chest.
"Ah, don't be shy now. I heard you scream until the sun came up."
I choked. Mortification burned my skin as my face turned scarlet.
Mary cackled, collapsing onto the bed. "Oh, this is the best day of my life."
I groaned, covering my face. "I can't believe it either. It feels… weird. A little lonely, actually. And like I have a mountain of bricks on my shoulders."
She nudged me with her shoulder. "Hey. Don't forget you have a mate now, and he carries that same weight with you. You're not alone in this. And you have me, every step of the way. You know that, right?"
I nodded. "I know."
She pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before sitting up. "Good. Now, I'm starving. I'll eat with Caleb."
She winked at Kaï, who had just reentered the tent, carrying a tray of food.
"Think about what I said, Alee," she added before slipping out, leaving me alone with him.
Kaï set the tray down beside me on the bed—croissants, muffins, seasoned meat, cheese, and, most importantly, coffee.
My stomach growled again.
"The others seem to like Mary," Kaï noted, pouring us each a cup of coffee. "She has a natural charm."
I smiled. "Yeah, she does. She works at a restaurant, and customers love her. She's like a magnet for good energy."
Instinctively, I touched the small butterfly tattoo on my collarbone—a tribute to her. Butterflies were soft, beautiful, and colorful, yet fast and full of surprises. Just like her.
Kaï studied me. "You know, I've been thinking."
I arched a brow. "Never a good sign when a sentence starts like that."
He smirked, handing me my coffee. I watched as he took his black—no cream, no sugar. A psychopath, then. Noted.
I sighed. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad. It's just… I worry. A lot."
His expression shifted, turning attentive.
"I've been putting all this weight on my shoulders, and I realized—I'm sharing it with you. The weight of choosing the right wolves for our pack. Of finding a territory. Resources. Money. It's a lot. We need a lot."
Kaï took a bite of his croissant before speaking. "Then let's talk about it, my love. Don't keep these things from me. It's a shared burden."
I smiled, warmth spreading through me.
For the first time in a long time, I wasn't carrying everything alone.
I took a sip of my coffee, letting the warmth seep into my bones.
I wasn't alone.
And maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.